Japan Information and Culture Center, EMBASSY OF JAPAN

OBUCHI FORMS NEW COALITION TO PRESS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi returned from a trip to Europe on Jan. 13, in time to reach agreement with the opposition P Liberal Party to form a new coalition government, which should speed reform legislation through the parliament. The Liberals hold 39 seats in the more powerful 500-seat lower house of the Diet. Added to the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) 265 seats, the new coalition should assure swift passage of Mr. Obuchi’s ambitious reform legislation, designed to cut taxes and regulation and reform the financial sector in order to jump-start the economy. It will also give the LDP a boost in the Upper House, where it lacks a JAN. 1999 majority when the Diet convenes on Jan. 19. The coalition partners 1 have also agreed on other structural reforms that will reduce the number of civil servants by 25 percent within ten years, cut the CONTENTS number of cabinet posts from 20 to 18 and abolish the system in Welcoming the Euro which senior bureaucrats speak on behalf of ministers during Diet The Prime Minister toured Europe as the new currency is launched; support debates. A last minute hitch over Japan’s international military role for the yen. 2 was resolved with an agreement that would allow Japan’s Self The Emperor’s New Year Defense Forces to “actively participate and cooperate” in U.N. greeting 2 peacekeeping missions if asked to do so by the United Nations. In talks with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen, Ambassador Saito’s message Mr. Obuchi and Defense Minister Hosei Norota also discussed the In his New Year remarks to Japan Now Japan-U.S. security alliance, and the possibility of cooperating on an readers, the Ambassador sees better times ahead. 3 anti-missile defense system, in light of North Korea’s missile- development and nuclear programs. The new coalition cabinet 4 (see page 2)

Trends in Japan Consumers are given vouchers in an effort to boost domestic spending. 4 Viewpoint The U.S. and Japan join forces to research arctic phenomena. 5 South Korea lifts ban Japanese popular culture is allowed in for the first time since 1945. 6 Beyond Differences There was a darker side to the emerging tea culture in Japan. 7 Artistic tour de force The Edo period (1615-1868) is on display in all its splendor at the 8 National Gallery of Art. Pope John Paul II receives from Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi a flower vase decorated with irises designed by Chuji Fukagawa of the Meiji period, before a private audience at the Vatican Jan. 9, 1999. (AP Photo/Pool, Paul Hanna) EMPEROR’S GREETING FOR 64,000 A crowd of 64,000 people waving Japanese flags gathered on the grounds of the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo Jan. 2 to hear a New Year’s greeting GREETING THE EURO, from the Emperor. “On the occasion of the start of the New Year, I pray for happiness for our nation SUPPORTING THE YEN and the people in the world,” Emperor Akihito said. The royal family, including Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Princess Masako, appeared on a balcony seven times during On his Jan. 9-13 visit to France, Italy, the the day and waved to the crowd of well-wishers Vatican and Germany, Prime Minister below. Some people in the crowd cheered, “Long Obuchi welcomed the introduction of the live the Emperor.” The palace grounds are generally O new pan-European currency, the euro. closed to the public, except for Jan. 2 and the Eleven member states of the European Emperor’s birthday on Dec. 23. Also, on Jan. 7 the Union adopted the euro on Jan. 1, and Mr. Obuchi Emperor marked his tenth anniversary on the Chrysanthemum Throne. Accompanied by Empress stressed that Japan will work with all 11 of them to Michiko, he visited, prayed and conducted minimize disruptive exchange-rate fluctuations commemorative rituals before his father Emperor against the yen. Hirohito’s tomb at the Musashino Mausoleum on the FRANCE: Talks with French President Jacques outskirts of Tokyo. Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin centered on the need for exchange market stability among the euro, the yen and the dollar. “The birth of the euro reform of the international financial system. “We brings without a doubt a great chance,” Prime should look into better ways of how the Minister Obuchi said in Paris. “Tripartite international currency system should be,” he said cooperation between Japan, Europe and the United at a joint news conference with German Prime States would allow for creation of a stable and Minister Gerhard Schroeder. They also called for developed international monetary system. It is in enhanced supervision of the financial sector, this direction that we must cooperate.” He continued including tackling issues related to hedge funds. that Japan “would like to increase the utility of the Mr. Obuchi again expressed his resolve to keep the yen as an international currency,” and that “all yen a key global currency, stressing that the three countries and people should benefit from economic “poles” — Europe, the U.S. and Japan — should globalization.” In Paris, as in all his stops, Mr. cooperate for the sake of stabilizing the global Obuchi said that he is “confident, that his “vigorous currency system. “It is desirable that the dollar, the policy” of deregulation will result in “stable growth” euro and the yen remain as the key three in Japan for fiscal 1999 and beyond. currencies,” he said, before returning to Tokyo. ITALY: In Rome, currency markets also dominated FOREIGN MINISTER TO THE MIDEAST the agenda in talks between the Prime Minister and Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura Italian Premier Massimo D’Alema. “We was engaged in high-stakes shuttle diplomacy in reaffirmed,” the two said in a joint-statement, “that the Mideast in mid-January. He met with Egyptian the stability of foreign-exchange markets is of key President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Hafez importance not only to each of our economies but el Assad in Damascus and Lebanese Prime to the entire world economy,” and they pledged to Minister Salim Hoss in Beirut before traveling to cooperate in the future. Israel. Japan maintains a contingent of peacekeepers in the U.N. mission on the Golan VATICAN: While in Rome the Prime Minister met Heights. In Israel, he presented Prime Minister with Pope John Paul II and presented the Pope with Benjamin Netanyahu with a four-point plan for an a 19-century porcelain vase, while giving him his Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, which senior best wishes for his health. “Take care of yourself so Israeli officials termed “impressive.” Mr. Koumura that you can take care of the people of the world,” also met with Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat, and Mr. Obuchi told the 78-year-old pontiff. The two signed a $12 million agreement to provide discussed church-state relations in Japan and the garbage-handling equipment to the Palestinian Asian financial crisis. They also talked about the Interim Self-Government Authority. This was a part plans to mark the 450th anniversary of St. Francis of the $200 million assistance package Japan had Xavier’s landing at Kagoshima in Japan on Aug. JAPAN pledged last November for the coming two years. 15, 1549. As Mr. Obuchi departed the Pope said NOW Since 1993 Japan has extended a total of $350 “Arigato,” or thank you. 2 million to the Palestinian government, including BONN: The Prime Minister wrapped up his assistance through international organizations and week-long tour of Europe by again calling for direct grants in aid. AMBASSADOR SAITO’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Happy New Year! I am delighted to wish, on behalf of the Japanese people and the embassy staff, all the readers of Japan Now H from all over the United States, a happy and Ambassador Kunihiko Saito prosperous 1999 as we approach the new millennium. Last year was a momentous one, in which serious, Japan has a number of important assets, Japan’s efforts at economic recovery dominated such as the largest foreign currency reserves in the both domestic policy and foreign diplomacy. The world, the highest household savings and literacy stakes were high; Japan, the second largest rates, a well-trained workforce and a stable, economy in the world, urgently needed to revitalize disciplined social system. I am optimistic about the its economy for its own sake and to help Asia future of our economy and of Japan itself. We will emerge from its economic crisis. emerge from our current difficulties stronger for the My government addressed the issue by experience. codifying and implementing a series of economic Last year also saw the importance of the stimulus measures to bring about domestic bilateral political and security relationship between recovery, and by enacting bold financial- Japan and the U.S. reaffirmed. The turmoil in Iraq revitalization laws to eliminate the bad loan and in the former Yugoslavia makes it abundantly problem dragging down Japan’s financial clear that international stability has not fallen institutions. Last November, Prime Minister neatly into place in the aftermath of the Cold War Obuchi’s Cabinet announced a record $200 billion as had been predicted. Furthermore in the Asia- (almost 5 percent of GDP) stimulus package. Pacific region, the widespread financial crisis and The package, which consists of substantial North Korea’s missile test of Aug. 31 left public investments to improve Japan’s instability, uncertainty and tension in their wake. infrastructure, ease the credit crunch, and Indeed, in these difficult times, the permanently reduce personal and corporate taxes, maintenance of a strong Japan-U.S. security is expected to bring GDP up by 2.3 percent so as relationship is imperative. As the cornerstone of to achieve positive growth this year. The Diet has our bilateral relationship, it has been vital in also committed up to $500 billion to fix Japan’s sustaining peace and prosperity in Japan and in banking problems. the rest of Asia and the Pacific. During the Japan-U.S. Summit last To that end, last year the government November, President Clinton praised Japan’s efforts submitted a bill to the Diet to carry out the “New in implementing these emergency policies needed Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation,” to address its economic difficulties and the Asian reached in September 1997. For its part, the economic crisis. He further pledged to continue United States announced the “East Asia and broad-based cooperation between our two Pacific Strategic Report” (EASR) of 1998, which countries. outlined new security policies for the region as a I attended the summit sessions, and what follow-up to the 1995 report. impressed me the most was President Clinton’s Efforts are also being made toward strong encouragement of the Japanese people to implementing the recommendations of the Final have confidence in their country. He could have Report of “SACO,” a special commission used the opportunity to lecture or harangue, but established to promote the consolidation, instead he used it to urge us on to a greater future. realignment and reduction of U.S. facilities in In his joint statement with Prime Minister Obuchi, Okinawa. On Dec. 22, the first of 11 American the President said: “I would just like to say as a military facilities on the island that will be vacated friend, that the United States wants, needs and under a 1996 agreement was turned over to local JAPAN believes in a strong Japan; in the last half of the control. NOW century, no nation has demonstrated its capacity for Overall relations between Japan and the 3 positive change more than Japan.” U.S. are strong, and I am confident that with your While the economic situation in Japan is continued support from every corner of this country they will become even stronger. When President Clinton visited Japan last November, the two TRENDS IN JAPAN governments reaffirmed again their steadfast commitment to our alliance. When Prime Minister Obuchi makes a scheduled official visit to the United States this May, the embassy staff will do its VOUCHERS TO BOOST utmost to use the opportunity to further advance the Japan-U.S. relationship. SPENDING I hope that this new year will prove to be a V In an effort to pull local shopping districts splendid one for all of you and your families out of recession, more and more municipal personally, and a productive one for what still is governments have been turning to issuing of so- commonly viewed as the most important bilateral called “purchase vouchers.” The vouchers, which relationship in the world. can only be used in local areas, are meant to Kunihiko Saito encourage local spending. In some cases, the local government subsidizes a portion of the face value of vouchers issued by local business associations. Japan’s national government is also planning to PRIME MINISTER’S NEW CABINET distribute vouchers to children and low-income senior citizens nationwide this spring. Prime Minister ...... Keizo Obuchi A shopping district federation in central Justice Minister...... Shozaburo Nakamura Tokyo was among the first groups to use municipal Foreign Minister...... Masahiko Koumura purchase vouchers to stimulate spending. In April 1998, it began issuing vouchers in $4 Finance Minister ...... Kiichi Miyazawa denominations, which could be used in 2,000 Education Minister; Director General, stores in the ward. Those who bought $800 worth Science and Technology Agency (State Minister) ...... Akito Arima or more received an additional 10 percent and those who purchased $8,000 or more were given an Health and Welfare Minister ...... Sohei Miyashita extra 20 percent. The cost to the local government Agriculture, Forestry, was about $500,000, after over 200 people opted and Fisheries Minister ...... Shoichi Nakagawa for 20 percent bonus with one buying $25,000. International Trade and The local bonus funding ran out in only two Industry Minister ...... KaoruYosano months, upon which coupon sales were ended; but Transport Minister; Director General, the program was a great success with $3 million Hokkaido Development Agency (State Minister) ...... Jiro Kawasaki sold. And, six months after starting the program, over 70 percent of the vouchers had been used. In Posts and Telecommunications Minister...... Seiko Noda the past stimulus measures have focused on low-interest business loans. But the success of Labor Minister ...... Akira Amari Minato Ward’s program has drawn attention. Construction Minister; Director General, Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward, for example, has National Land Agency (State Minister)...... Katsutsugu Sekiya started to subsidize discount vouchers issued by the ward’s shopping-district federation. Vouchers with a Home Affairs Minister ...... Takeshi Noda face value of $4 are sold for $3.75. Although Chief Cabinet Secretary (State Minister); extremely popular, shoppers cannot get change Director General, Okinawa Development Agency (State Minister)...... Hiromu Nonaka when using them. Nevertheless, they remain a hit. The government hopes to repeat these local Director General, Management and Coordination Agency (State Minister) ...... Seiichi Ota successes on a national scale. Rejecting an opposition proposal to distribute $250 in coupons Director General, Defense Agency (State Minister)...... Hosei Norota to every Japanese citizen (some $30 billion) the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Director General, Economic Planning Agency (State Minister)...... Taichi Sakaiya Party decided in November 1998 to distribute coupons to 35 million people with the government JAPAN Director General, Environment Agency (State Minister)...... Kenji Manabe covering the cost. Early this year municipal NOW governments will give them to families with Financial Reconstruction 4 Minister...... Hakuo Yanagisawa children under 15-years, low-income senior citizens and the disabled, and stores accepting the coupons will be designated by the local officials. Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the BY SYUN-ICHI U.S. (Alaska), so that it is not possible to study it AKASOFU without close cooperation among scientists from many countries. Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu Fortunately, the Geophysical Institute has The aurora is one of the most beautiful and been a sort of Mecca for such international spectacular phenomena on Earth. H. cooperation. Young researchers from all over the Hooper, a famous polar explorer, noted with world, Italy, France, India, Pakistan, Russia, Japan, T a sigh: “Language is vain in the attempt to Canada, Germany, Britain, and other nations have describe.” The aurora is the only cosmic joined in the research. (astronomical) phenomenon within our reach. We have worked together very closely, Aurora scientists have discovered that the aurora is overcoming many, many difficulties in the arctic caused by a high-vacuum, high-voltage electrical environment. Deep friendship has been cultivated discharge in the upper atmosphere of the polar among the researchers as a result. Since 1986, I regions. Basically, it is like a neon sign. The aurora have served as director of the Geophysical appears as a curtain of light. The height of the Institute, which has now about 400 faculty, curtain from the ground is about 100 km. – ten students and staff. times higher than the altitude In the fall of 1985, I had of jet planes. the great honor to give a Modern auroral science special lecture to the late began in 1957, which was the Emperor Showa. He was so year that I joined the interested in the aurora that it Geophysical Institute of the took almost an hour to answer University of Alaska, as a his many questions. After my graduate student from Japan. lecture, the Emperor asked me Scientists from many countries to contribute to the promotion joined to study the aurora by of U.S.-Japan relations. It took operating more than 100 me many years to realize what special cameras that can The aurora, by Yasuyoshi Tanaka I could do in this respect as a photograph the whole sky. scientist. Intense auroral studies began as the films from the In 1989, I decided to establish an all-sky cameras were collected. We found that international arctic research center on the basis of auroral curtains appear along an annular ring cooperation between the U.S. and Japan. I am very centered around the geomagnetic pole, located near grateful to the governments of both countries for the northwestern tip of Greenland. their help in establishing it on the campus of the The beginning of modern auroral science University of Alaska Fairbanks. coincided with the human exploration of space by The Arctic controls a great variety of global satellites. Since the aurora is cosmic, it is not phenomena, including the daily weather and possible to study it without the aid of satellites and climate. The International Arctic Research Center spaceships. As auroral scientists have begun to will devote its effort to, among other things, explore space around Earth, they have discovered determining as accurately as possible the rate of many new features around the planet. They global warming caused by human activities. It is my discovered a comet-like structure around Earth. hope to bring together arctic scientists from as many This structure generates the electric power for the countries as possible in this important endeavor. auroral electrical discharge, one-thousand times more powerful than the largest power generator in • Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu, Director of the the world. As an auroral scientist, I feel very lucky Geophysical Institute and the Founding Director of to be able to participate in this exploratory phase of the International Arctic Research Center of the auroral research. However, the aurora still has University of Alaska Fairbanks, is the foremost JAPAN many unsolved features and great efforts are being authority in aurora research and was named one of NOW made to understand them. the “1000 Most Quoted Scientists” since 1981. He 5 The aurora is a large-scale phenomenon. is the author of more than 400 professional articles The auroral ring lies over Canada, Greenland, and co-author of eight books. CONSULATE OPENS IN DENVER The 17th Consulate General of Japan in the U.S. was opened in Denver, Colorado on Jan. 15. Mr. Katsuhiko Kubo is serving as active SOUTH KOREA LIFTS Consul General. The Consulate’s jurisdiction includes Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and JAPAN CULTURE BAN Wyoming. Some 108 Japanese corporate affiliates and 4,720 Japanese nationals reside in these four states. Contact, Consulate General of Japan, 1200 17th St., Suite 1400, On October 24, 1998, for the first time in Denver, CO 80202, Tel: (303) 534-1151, 53 years, Japanese songs were legally Fax: (303) 534-3393. performed in public in the Republic of O Korea (South Korea). As part of “Japan Week,” when a series of events sponsored to Japanese pop culture. Culture and Tourism by the Japanese embassy were held in Kwangju, Minister Shin Na-kyun followed this up on October Japanese popular singer Tomoe Sawa held a concert 20 by announcing the first categories of products in which she sang two songs in Japanese that had that would see restrictions lifted. With regard to been approved by the South Korean government. movies, works jointly produced by South Korea and The concert was widely broadcast on South Japan, Japanese films that have won an award at an Korean television and radio. A month after international film festival or at the Academy President Kim Dae-jung’s announcement of his Awards, and those that have been shown in Korean intention to phase out South Korea’s long-standing movie festivals or screenings are to be allowed; the ban on Japanese culture, Sawa’s concert marked top film is expected to be “Ai no Mokushiroku” the beginning of a new relationship for Japan and (Apocalypse of Love), a joint Japanese-Korean its nearest neighbor. production recounting the life of a Japanese woman Born in Japan to a Japanese father and who raised 3,000 orphans in South Korea. Korean mother, Tomoe Sawa spent her childhood in Videos of movies in the above-mentioned South Korea, the United States, and Japan. She categories will also be released. Japanese comic made her debut as a professional singer in 1991 books, which have already been widely published while still enrolled at the Tokyo National University in Korean translation, can now be sold in their of Fine Arts and Music. At the concert in Kwangju, original versions. Popular music and theater along with numerous Korean and English songs, performances were not included in the first Sawa sang “Furusato” (Hometown), a children’s announcement, but it is hoped that they will also song written around 1910, and “Kokoro” (Heart), be accepted soon. in which she put to her own melody a famous Although South Korea has taken its first Korean poem that her grandfather — a renowned step toward lifting the ban, it is still strongly Korean poet himself — had translated into determined not to let in the more vulgar aspects of Japanese. Japanese culture. Some South Koreans admonish Japan’s popular culture, including the entertainment industry for becoming over- Japanese-language theater performances, television zealous in its import plans. and radio broadcasts, publications, and pop music, In line with this sentiment, Culture and had been prohibited since 1945. This ban was no Tourism Minister Shin commented three days after doubt triggered by the Korean people’s strong her first announcement: “The precise dates for feelings about the Japanese-language education removing the restrictions have not yet been that was forced on them in the years of Japanese decided. We will study the effects of Japanese colonial rule over their country. But in recent cultural imports and move forward carefully.” decades Japanese culture has seeped in to the The October concert came in the midst of general public through such media as satellite these ambivalent circumstances. Although Sawa broadcasting and the Internet. did perform two songs in Japanese, there still Though not officially approved, large seems to be a long way to go before Japanese hits amounts of Japan’s cultural products have already can be sung openly in South Korea. entered South Korea and have become a familiar Among the songs Sawa had planned to part of many people’s lives. This — along with the include in her program was the English version of prospect of co-hosting the 2002 soccer World Cup the 1960s hit “Ue wo Muite Aruko” (known in the JAPAN finals with Japan — added impetus to the move United States as “Sukiyaki”) but this was called off NOW toward lifting the ban. after the South Korean government expressed its 6 In early October 1998, President Kim, displeasure. However, hopes remain high in both during a state visit to Japan, said that his countries that a brighter era of cultural relations administration would gradually open South Korea lies ahead. THE WAY OF TEA, AND ITS DARKER SIDE

It’s comforting to think of the world of tea Utensils for the tea ceremony as beautiful and peaceful. That, however, was not always the case. The lives of the tea I masters were sometimes at odds with those apparently was much like Rikyu in his passion for of their patrons. Tea attracted more than independent speech. Hideyoshi was looking to one man who would die for being unwilling to live unify Japan under his flag, but Rikyu “would not by the rules of etiquette common to the times. acknowledge authority,” according to Kumakura Sen no Rikyu, considered the greatest of the Isao in Tea in Japan. Two such opposing views tea masters, lived in the 14th century, a time when could hardly co-exist comfortably. Finally, Rikyu the military ruled. Different lords, or daimyo, was forced to commit suicide. The circumstances competed by inviting the better-known tea that led to that suicide are still something of a practitioners to preside over tea gatherings. Such mystery. gatherings utilized water brought from famous Why is Rikyu so revered among the many places, famous tea, and famous implements used to generations of talented, insightful tea masters? In make or hold tea. part, because of Rikyu’s creative, visionary eye and Wealthy daimyo spent enormous sums on his approach to what is called wabicha, or the such implements and hanging scrolls, vying with rustic, simple approach to tea. When Rikyu was one another to see who could secure the most alive, it was not unusual for tea gatherings with notable meibutsu, as they were called. Oda other tea masters to be in opulent surroundings. Nobunaga, who was the first to militarily unify Rikyu’s approach suited the military — spare, Japan, trumped them all in characteristic style — simple, natural, and pared down to the basics. He he simply confiscated many of the best meibutsu wanted the tea ceremony to prepare a soldier facing and sought out the top tea masters for his tea death on the battlefield. It was meant to clear one’s gatherings. mind and sharpen one’s focus. One of these masters was Rikyu, who served Kumakura explains that Rikyu developed in Nobunaga’s favor for 14 years, until Nobunaga the nijiriguchi, or a characteristic small door or was assassinated in 1582. Nobunaga’s successor gate, through which guests enter the “different was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who decided to keep world” of tea. He lists a number of possible Nobunaga’s meibutsu and Nobunaga’s tea master. sources for the inspiration for this gate, including Hideyoshi managed to arrange a tea ceremony with the cramped, tiny area for passengers on small the Emperor, over which Rikyu presided. With that Japanese riverboats. Another suggestion is the event, Rikyu became the acknowledged top tea small wicket entrance used by theatre goers, the master in Japan. tiny door through which people could truly enter a But not everything went smoothly, even at different world. There is also a rite of a religion in that exalted level. One of Rikyu’s disciples was Japan that requires the seeker to “pass through an Yamanoue Sooji, a talented tea man, but one that infinitesimally small hole,” which leads to a kind could not control his tongue. Rikyu recommended of rebirth. From wherever the nijiriguchi originally that Hideyoshi engage Sooji, but Sooji’s came from, Rikyu was the one who made it a independent nature led to his banishment. In time, necessary part of the proper teahouse. the noted Hoojoo family took Sooji in — probably Kumakura explains the importance: “His in large part because Sooji was on the outs with body cleansed, the guest passes from one world to Hideyoshi, and so were they. another and, with a sense of keen awareness In 1590, as part of Hideyoshi’s campaign of increasing at each step of the way, finally arrives at national unification, he attacked the Hoojoo family. the teahouse, whose interior has become less the Sooji escaped from the Hoojoo and returned to realm of the connoisseur than a sacred space.” Hideyoshi’s service. But Sooji’s tongue got the JAPAN better of him once again, leading to the loss of his • Carol Marleigh Kline, is a freelance writer who NOW nose, his ears, and his life. spent 11 years living in Japan. Next month she will 7 What is interesting about this story is the write about, “The Beauty of the Cold and Withered, light it sheds on the spirit of the tea master. Sooji The Imperfect and Incomplete.” AN ARTISTIC TOUR DE FORCE

The Edo period was one of unprecedented “Hikone Screen,” peace and prosperity in Japan. From its c.1620s – 1640s, beginnings in the 16th century, the city of Hikone Castle Museum, Shiga T Edo (modern Tokyo) evolved into the largest city in the world by the 18th century. The influence of this new capital city was so profound, that its name came to represent the culture of all detailed paintings of city streets bustling with Japan during this time. activity; meticulously crafted lacquer boxes and Under the stable rule of the Tokugawa lustrous silk kimono worn by entertainers of the Shogunate, a thriving, free-spirited urban culture time. This all comes together to define the Edo developed along with an unprecedented blossoming aesthetic, one in which no distinction was made of the arts and crafts that transcended social between craft and fine art; everything was made boundaries. with utmost care in an artistic endeavor. A window into the richness of Edo Japan “Artistically, the Edo period is one of the culture is currently open to the public. “Edo: Art richest in the history of Japanese art, and is in Japan 1615-1868,” is on display at the National fascinating to us today because it bridges the Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. (Nov. 15, 1998 traditional and modern ages of that great country,” through Feb. 15, 1999). It gives an exciting said Earl A. Powell III, director of the National glimpse at a stunning artistic tradition. Gallery of Art. Nearly 300 masterpieces, including painted scrolls and screens, costumes, armor, ceramics, lacquer, and woodblock prints, illustrate the extraordinary skill and refinement that characterized the artisans of the time. The exhibit is replete with works designated as “National Treasures” and “Important Cultural Properties” in Japan, many of which have never been seen outside of the country before. All this makes it one of the most comprehensive and rare collections of Edo Japanese art ever to come to the United States. Silk Kosode with The high style of the period permeates the net pattern, exhibition. There are magnificent, deadly chrysanthemums implements of war and brilliantly colored gold-leaf and characters, 1668/1704, Tokyo screens; large, peaceful landscapes and extensively National Museum

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